The Spurs Coyote, Sean Elliott, Henry Cisneros and Lila Cockrell rallying for the Alamodome in 1990.

The Spurs Coyote, Sean Elliott, Henry Cisneros and Lila Cockrell rallying for the Alamodome in 1990.

Photo: Express-News file photo

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In December 1990 more than a dozen unforeseen underground storage tanks and sumps were found to have contaminated soil and water at the Alamodome site. It took 10 years, millions of dollars and several lawsuits to clean it all up. Pictured: A worker takes a dirt sample from the bucket of this backhoe during dirt removal work at the Alamodome, May 6, 1994. less

In December 1990 more than a dozen unforeseen underground storage tanks and sumps were found to have contaminated soil and water at the Alamodome site. It took 10 years, millions of dollars and several ... more

Photo: Express-News file photo / Express-News file photo

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February 1991

February 1991

Photo: Express-News file photo

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March 1991

March 1991

Photo: Express-News file photo

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October 1991

October 1991

Photo: Express-News file photo

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July 1992

July 1992

Photo: Express-News file photo

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May 1993

May 1993

Photo: Express-News file photo

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Paul McCartney was the first to perform at the Alamodome on May 29, 1993.

Paul McCartney was the first to perform at the Alamodome on May 29, 1993.

Olympic skater Michelle Kwan skates in the Alamodome during the Olympic Festival, July 24, 1993. Her performance captivated 25,691 patrons at the Alamodome, and they gave her a standing ovation as she left the ice. Several fans threw roses and other flowers onto the ice as she glided for a victory lap after claiming the gold medal. less

Olympic skater Michelle Kwan skates in the Alamodome during the Olympic Festival, July 24, 1993. Her performance captivated 25,691 patrons at the Alamodome, and they gave her a standing ovation as she left the ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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David Robinson takes the Alamodome court for the first time in this Oct. 16, 1993 photo.

David Robinson takes the Alamodome court for the first time in this Oct. 16, 1993 photo.

Photo: Express-News file photo / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Pernell Whitaker lands a right punch against Julio Cesar Chavez during the fight at the Alamodome, on Sept. 10, 1993.

Pernell Whitaker lands a right punch against Julio Cesar Chavez during the fight at the Alamodome, on Sept. 10, 1993.

Photo: The Ring Magazine / Getty Images

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A water cannon, set off by pregame fireworks, spewed thousands of gallons of water, drenched and scattered fans, soaked the court and delayed the start of the the Spurs' home opener for 50 minutes on Nov. 4, 1994. less

A water cannon, set off by pregame fireworks, spewed thousands of gallons of water, drenched and scattered fans, soaked the court and delayed the start of the the Spurs' home opener for 50 minutes on Nov. 4, ... more

Photo: Express-News file photo / EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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The Houston Oilers played the Dallas Cowboys in the Alamodome on Aug. 21, 1993.

The Houston Oilers played the Dallas Cowboys in the Alamodome on Aug. 21, 1993.

Photo: Express-News file photo / EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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The Texas Longhorns faced the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Big 12 Championship game at the Alamodome on Dec. 4, 1999.

The Texas Longhorns faced the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Big 12 Championship game at the Alamodome on Dec. 4, 1999.

Photo: JERRY LARA

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Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith celebrates after winning the 1998 NCAA men's basketball championship game against Utah on March 30, 1998. It would be the first of three Final Fours the Alamodome would host. less

Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith celebrates after winning the 1998 NCAA men's basketball championship game against Utah on March 30, 1998. It would be the first of three Final Fours the Alamodome would ... more

Photo: Todd Warshaw / Getty Images

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The Bulls' Michael Jordan drives against the Spurs' David Robinson in the second quarter of the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 11, 1996.

The Bulls' Michael Jordan drives against the Spurs' David Robinson in the second quarter of the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 11, 1996.

Photo: Associated Press / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Sean Elliott's "Memorial Day Miracle" three-point shot won Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trailblazers on May 31, 1999, at the Alamodome.

Sean Elliott's "Memorial Day Miracle" three-point shot won Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trailblazers on May 31, 1999, at the Alamodome.

Photo: Express-News file photo / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Sue Bird and her Uconn teammates celebrate their national championship after defeating Oklahoma in 2002 at the Alamodome. The matchup drew more than 29,000, the largest crowd to witness an NCAA women's basketball championship game. less

Sue Bird and her Uconn teammates celebrate their national championship after defeating Oklahoma in 2002 at the Alamodome. The matchup drew more than 29,000, the largest crowd to witness an NCAA women's ... more

Photo: Gloria Ferniz / Express-News

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Tim Duncan goes to the hoop against the Lakers' Robert Horry in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, May 12, 2002. It was the last Spurs game played at the Alamodome.

Tim Duncan goes to the hoop against the Lakers' Robert Horry in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, May 12, 2002. It was the last Spurs game played at the Alamodome.

Photo: Express-News file photo / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Buffalo Bills Willis McGahee scores the first touchdown in a regular NFL season game at the Alamodome against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 2, 2005. The Saints played four games at the Alamodome after being displaced from the Superdome because of Hurricane Katrina. less

Buffalo Bills Willis McGahee scores the first touchdown in a regular NFL season game at the Alamodome against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 2, 2005. The Saints played four games at the Alamodome after being ... more

Photo: Express-News file photo / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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George Strait has performed at the Alamodome several times. His Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour scheduled for June 1 is sold out.

George Strait has performed at the Alamodome several times. His Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour scheduled for June 1 is sold out.

Photo: Express-News file photo / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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The Penn State vs. Texas A&M matchup for the 2007 Alamo Bowl remains the top sporting event in terms of attendance with 66,166, according to valeroalamobowl.com.

The Penn State vs. Texas A&M matchup for the 2007 Alamo Bowl remains the top sporting event in terms of attendance with 66,166, according to valeroalamobowl.com.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / Express-News

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Fans cheer during UTSA's inaugural football game against Northeastern State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.

Fans cheer during UTSA's inaugural football game against Northeastern State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.

Photo: Express-News file photo / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Alamodome over the years

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Express-News File Photo

My fondest memory of the Alamodome is from 1999. It isn’t Sean Elliott’s “Memorial Day Miracle” for one reason: I wasn’t there to witness it.

It was Game 1 of the ’99 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. After the national anthem ended the place went dark. The music started and the disco lights swirled aimlessly and the noise meter reached rock concert decibels.

In that moment I got teary-eyed. All I could think of was David Robinson. That man had received so much criticism. The “soft” label. Charles Barkley closing HemsiFair Arena. Hakeem Olajuwon. And yet here he was in the Finals. He made it. And we came along for the ride.

During that time, it probably felt like the Alamodome made it, too. The Spurs playing in the Finals, especially against the New York Knicks and the media horde that accompanies them, all eyes of the sports world were fixed on the dome for Games 1 and 2.

The Spurs were the dome’s true anchor tenant. And after they left in 2002, for most of the Alamodome’s history, it has been a collection of one-time bursts of activity.

The NFL team the Alamodome was intended for never happened.

Twenty years after the dome opened, its sports resume is pretty good even without an NFL team: Alamo Bowls, Big 12 Championships, NCAA Final Fours, Pernell Whitaker vs. Julio Cesar Chavez, four New Orleans Saints games in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, the Canadian Football League, Arena Football League, and most recently the UTSA Roadrunners and the Texas Rangers.

On the entertainment front, there was Paul McCartney christening the dome in 1993, and subsequently the Rolling Stones. Later, the 1997 Royal Rumble packed the dome, and there have been dozens of monster truck jams, trade shows, graduations, Disney on Ice, etc., etc.

But 20 years later, does the Alamodome feel like a success? It does here and there. But not like it would have with an NFL team.